One year on, the State must deliver on its promise of justice for Magdalenes
Published: Wednesday, March 19, 2014
One year on from Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s apology to Magdalene survivors and his acknowledgement of State involvement in the incarceration of the women, National Women’s Council of Ireland calls on the State to deliver on its promises to provide full restorative justice for the surviving women without further delay.
Rachel Doyle, Head of Outreach, said
“A year ago today, Enda Kenny’s apology saw the Magdalene survivors vindicated and gave them hope of finally achieving justice. Yet one year on, many of the women are yet to receive a penny. Some women have received offer letters detailing their lump sum and weekly payment entitlements, yet this Government has failed to deliver on the promise of pensions and healthcare benefits, as well as all other elements of restorative justice called for by Justice Quirke.”
Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI, said
“It is unacceptable that these women have still not received the justice called for by the United Nations Commission Against Torture, and promised by the Taoiseach himself. Enda Kenny must offer clarity on the status of survivors living outside Ireland and those whose duration of stay records are not available.”
Rachel Doyle concluded
“We are calling on the Taoiseach to put a definitive timeline in place for the passing of legislation to ensure the State provides these women with the justice they deserve. Women survivors whose lives in and outside of the laundries were and continue to be characterised by physical and psychological suffering, poverty and stigma should not have to deal with further suffering brought on by additional delays. At least three survivors have died and two others have experienced repeated hospitalisations in the year since the apology. Full justice must be delivered to these women as a matter of urgency.”
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For more information, please contact Sarah Clarkin, Communications Officer, National Women’s Council of Ireland, Tel. 085 858 9104.